F 129 
.L96 B9 
Copy 1 



i<^7l 



From 



^^ÎK3r^ 



^A 



^ 



OME-SPUN 



TO 




ALICO, 




DUKE DE LAUZUN. 



ALBANY: 

WEED, PARSONS & COMPANY, PRINTERS. 

1877. 



1776-1876. 



F R () M 



HOME-SPU:?^ TO Calico. 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT 



Luzerne, July 4, 1876, 



Br^è/feUTLER. 



PRINTED FOR PRIVATE USE. 



ALBANY: 
WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY. 

1877. 



v 



\-.J 



"FROM HOME-SPUN TO CALICO.' 



TTTHEN near tlie close of tlie last eentuiy, Benjamin 
TT Feanklin approaclied the end of a long and 
useful life, lie wished, if it ^ve^e possible, tliat at tlie end 
of a liiindred years lie niiglit visit tlie eartli and witness 
the progress that arts and sciences liad made in Lis 
beloved country ; — or, as lie is made to express tlie idea 
in tlie " Rejected Addresses " : 

" I once liad a project — 'twas ail in my eye, 
To be bottled up tight, like a winter-killed fly, 
And then be thawed ont at the end of a century, 
Witli leave to look 'round, and to take an invent'ry." 

It was an âge of lionie-spnn. Tlie distafï, the loom 
and the spiniiing-wheel were heai'd in every house. 
The wool wliicli lie sheared and the flax he raised 
were the farmer's constant source of supply. The 
kitchen was the prominent Iront i"oom in the house, 
and carpets were unknown. The wood was hauled to 
the door in long sled-lengtlis — and a log drawn in by 
a single horse, before the capacious fire-place, whence it 
was rolled on, and then supplemented by a snialler log 
and a fore-stick, A crâne was hanging from the jamb, 
and a chain and pot hooks served iniperfectly the culin- 



ary apparatus, wliich now is well snpplied by tlie 
modem cook-stove. 

Men's labor, from siin to siin, was a dollar" a week, or 
fifty dollars per year. Wheat could be liad for six 
shillings a biishel, ancl corn and rye were usually manu- 
factured into whisky, except what was wasted for 
bread. 

In imdertaking to look Avith Franklin's eyes npon 
the niaterial progress of the conntr}^ for the last centnry, 
we are iîrst struck Avitli the vastness of the changes, 
wliich enter into ail the relations of life : the food we 
consnnie, the clothes we weai', onr styles of conrtship, 
marriage and funerals ; and, as the subject is too great 
for the limits of a lectni'e, I will only ask \'on to accom- 
pany me in a considération of a few of the most promi- 
nent matters that wonld hâve arrested the attention of 
the great American philosopher. 

The Confederacy, for which, in 1754, in the city of 
Albany, he drew a plan to covei' a comparatively long 
and narre )W l)elt aloiig the sea-coast, bonnded l)y the 
Alleghanies, Franklin would hâve seen stretched ont 
over a continent, and the Illinois and northern Missis- 
sippi conntry which, as one of the commissioners to 
negotiate the treaty witli the English, he had assisted to 
save to this conntry, he wonld hâve fonnd the seat of 
empires, with vast cities of the plain rivaling in pop- 
ulation and gran(hnir the ancient cities of the plain — 
Nineveh, Babylon, Rome, Damascus, Bagdad — and which 
hâve hardly a parai h'I in the history of the world, except 
with each other. 



Franklin, in liis intercourse witli the aristocracy of 
tlie old world, liad become miicli aceustonied witli tlie 
luxiiiy of courts; but I would like to take liira into tlie 
places in tlie cities ^vliere sewing machines are sold, and 
it is doubtful wliicli lie would liave adniired most, tlie 
wonderful needle upon the table whicli lias done, and is 
doing, so niuch to anieliorate the condition of suftering 
wonieii, or the handsonie, gorgeous, well-furuished temple 
of fashion, in whicli the goddess of trade lias placed her- 
self to show olï tliose nini])le thimide-riggers. And, as 
he gazed upon the luxiu'ious a])pointment8 of the former 
— its mirrors, sofas, carpets, etc., — he ^vould doubtless 
hâve said tliat it was much better to nell the machines 
thaii to use them ! 

Franklin placed great and deserved value upon his 
discovery of the identity of lightning and electricity, 
This placed him in the foremost ranks of those pliiloso- 
phers wlio, in his clay, wei-e extending the bounds of 
knowledge into ail the j^hysical and scientific depart- 
ments. It gave to Turgot, in that splendid eulogiiim 
upon the life of Franklin, \vdiich he pronounced in the 
French House of Deputies, the opportunity of sayiiig 
that " he had snatched the lightnings froni heaven, and 
the scepter from tyran ts." 

But I doubt if, in his loftiest moods of contemplation, 
he would hâve realized that in this ^\'as the germ of that 
familiar click, clickety-click of the magnetic telegraph 
whicli speedily and })recisely conveys its messages across 
a continent and a round a world. 

Passing to his adopted city of Philadelphia, Franklin 



6 

woiild hâve seen that his diminutive circulating library 
had grown to be one of tlie most conspiciious ornaments 
of tliat splendid metropolis. His academy, fouiided on 
the barn-like building wliicli AVhitfield had caused to 
be built as a chapel for tlie use of ail dénominations of 
Christian nien, had grown into the University of Penn- 
sylvania ; his Philosophical Institute, his hospital, his 
fin; department, had eacli borne their fruit an hundred 
fold, and had been duplicated in most of the cities of the 
continent. He would hâve seen a population of 800,- 
000 people, and in the midst of his city, supported and 
mainly sustained by it, an exhibition the grandest and 
most perfect ever conceived by the wit of man. Ail the 
treasures of human skill, ail that inventive genius could 
imagine, ail the contrivanees of the past century, ail the 
trophies of the civilized world — gathered under the 
same management in unie pie Ijuildings, extraordinary in 
their size and skillful archittcture. It had not its equal 
undei" the sun. Its gatherings were fi-om tlie far south, 
and from the far north, and althoui^h the sea had not 2:iven 
up its dead, yet one sa^v the vases and other utensils from 
Etruscan tombs, {^,500 years old. Norway, ^^ liere in suni- 
mer the sun forgets to rise, and in ^viiiter forgets to set, 
sent her contributions. lier neighbor, Sweden, brought 
a school-house completely ecpiipped, thus showing the 
promijience her government gives to the instruction of 
its youtli. Five thousand ai'tists exhibited in buildintj^s 
expressly prepared for their réception, schools of paint- 
ing and sculpture of every modem civilized clime. Rus- 
sia, Denmark and Turkey held a gênerons rivalry in tins 



respect witli Mexico and Brazil. Florence sent those 
curious mosaics, whicli, like tlie tables of Moses of old 
transmitted, in thousands of briglit fragments of stone, 
tlie laws of color and beauty. There were seen long tubes, 
liiglier than a man's liead, showing tlie deptli of tlie soil 
of tlie western prairies, side by side witli tlie labor-saving 
machines — the plows witlioiit liandles, mowers, rakers, 
binders, and separators, wliicli so clieapeii tlie cost of 
producing tlie grain as to make tlie value of a busliel of 
corn for fuel less than the value of a bushel of coal. 
The oldest nation in the world, where letters were born 
and scientific works were constructed on the banks of 
the Nile, when the savages of Britain, Gaul and Germany 
were chipping ofï flint knives and arrow lieads from 
fragments of rock, lias sent her art treasures. And the 
farthest east hâve taken the wings of the morning, and 
brought tlieir quaint buildings, and quainter people to 
build tliem* 

They hâve corne iiot only for exhibition, but for in- 
struction. Think of it. Emperors, princes of royal 
blood, and kings, the rulers of millions — rulers by 
divine right — either in person or by proxy, paid born- 
age to the spirit of the nineteenth century, and were 
présent to witness the grandest illustration of the power 
of the people that the world has ever known. 

Otlier nations will show you the spectacle of great 
armies, brought together and disciplined for the j)urpose 
of fighting other armies as great as they, comprising one- 
fifth, or one-fourth of the entire able-bodied men of their 
respective countries, but whose life-work is butchery 
and carnage, creating destruction and misery, who must 



be sustained and paid by the remainder of the people, 
or, great establisliments of priests, wbo, exempt from tax- 
ation tbemselves, are supported by tbe industrial portion 
of tbe comniunity, for tbe purpose of sustaining tbe Na- 
tional Churcb, or, aristocracies wbo own tbe real estate, 
and see tbeir wealtb accnnuibxte, wbile tbousands of 
buman beings pass tbeir li\'e8 in tbeir service, cultivating 
tbeir soil, dio-o-ino- in tbeir mines, or workina; in tbeir fac- 
tories. But liistory records notbing in ancient times 
wbicb exbil)its tbese trinm[)bs of peaceful industry ; 
notbing nntil witliin tbe bast seventy-iive years, and tbis 
exceeds tliem ali. As if to crown its giory, it received 
its finisbing toucbes from tlie fascinating band of woman. 
Snrely tbe Avorbl moves, for at no previons exbibition bas 
tbere ever been a section devoted exchisively to tbe pro- 
dncts of domestic lal^or, and tbe departnients of literatnre 
and art, in AAbicb women liave excelled. But bere was 
erected a magnificent [)avili(>n at a cost of over $100,000. 
Tbey sent ont to collect from ail parts of tbe world, tbe 
triumpbs of woman's skill and industry. Kings' daugb- 
ters, wbose raiment is of needle-work, and wbose gar- 
ments are of wrought gold, came forward to do it lionor. 
Tbe needle is taking its place beside tbe pen and tbe 
brusb, as a vehicle of expression, for some of tbe finest 
and noblest émotions of oui- nature. And, ])erbaps, tbere 
were some embroideries, to stand ont u[)()n tbe canvas, 
like tbat of tbe fairPrincess Helen, wben tliree tbousand 
years ago sbe wo\e tbe story of tbe Trojan war. 

" She, in the palace, at her loom, tliey found, 
The golden web, lier own sad story crowned, 
The Trojan wars she weaved (herself the prize), 
And the dire triuniplis of her fatal eyes." 



But tliey were also prompters of ourpatriotic instincts. 
They préparée! a banner which is a triumpli of needle- 
work, bearing tlie amis of tlie State of New York, and 
also its motto Excelsior, io represeut tliera in tliewoman's 
hall. 

And they were also mindful of the memory of Wash- 
ington, the Father of his Country, and of Mt. Vernon his 
home, already their property, for whose préservation they 
are giving something of their energy and patriot zeal ; 
and I ask the ladies hère to consider tliis, not only as 
your right, but as your privilège — the learned and the 
unlearned, the women of lei&ure, and the women of toil — 
to contribute something to this noble pui'pose. Other 
nations erect lofty pillars, or triumphal arches, to those 
whom they delight to honor. But hère was the scène of 
his domestic life, wliere he lived, and where he died, 
whose vault is the Mausoleum of himself, and of Martha 
Washington w^ho, like him, was a glorious exemplar of 
her sex — and this is their best monument. Hère Wash- 
ington addressed to La Fayette his cordial letter of invi- 
tation. 

" I shall," he says, " welcome you with ail the warmth 
of friendship to Columbia's shores, and in the latter case 
to my rural cottage, where homely f are and a cordial récep- 
tion shall be substituted for delicacies and costly living." 

Let it ever be remembered that in this year of Jubilee, 
the raothers and daughters of the nation, among their 
noble Works, perpetuated to their children, and down 
throug:h the ae^es, the domestic virtues and the sacred 

memories that cluster around Mt. Vernon. 

2 



10 

Turninç: from tliis dis-ression to matters more witliin 
tlie scope of tliis paper, Feanklin would hâve seen tliat 
a little spark, so small as to liave even escaped his 
pliilosopliical mind, liad revolutionized tlie civilized 
world. James AVatt, a matliematical instrument maker 
by profession, an inventor by nature, had had placed in 
his hands a model of a steam machine, a mère toy, 
whose cylinder was two inches in diameter and whose 
boiler was smaller than a tea-kettle. By various expédi- 
ents, and with years of assiduous toil, he had brought 
this machine to be an economical, self-adjusting, self- 
working compendium of pipe condensers, and drum 
condensers, steam jackets, oil pumps, gauge pumps, 
exhausting cylinders, loading valv^es, beams, cranks, and 
governors, which we now in its entirety call a steam engine. 

Jiist one hundred and two years ago, in 1T74, he 
established at Soho, his factory for their construction. 

" I sell hère," said he to Boswell, " what ail the world 
desires to hâve, PowePw" He had about seven hundred 
people at work under him, who contemplated him as an 
Iron Chieftain, and lie seemed to be a Patriarch of his 
tribe. 

It would be interestins: to observe how Franklin 
would hâve contemplated this hercules of modem times, 
the regularity of its mechanism, its obédience to the 
slightest wish of its master, its mighty and universal 
application, which pervades land and water, which enters 
into ail domestic économies, which is like the "Harp, 
that plays upon a thousand strings," and whose wonder- 
ful steam whistle would, in its sardonic screech, almost 
frighten away the " spirits of just men made perf ect." 



11 

In 1787 appears a law on our statiite-books, whicli 
granted to John Fitch and liis associâtes tlie right to 
run a boat " by steam and fire " on tlie Hudson river. 
His plan, whicli was to propel the boat by means of sets 
of paddles, working alternately, appears to hâve been 
put in successful opération on tlie Delaware river. 
Eleven years thereafter, Robert E. Livingstojst and his 
associâtes were granted a similar privilège, but con- 
ditioned that the boat should be not less tlian twenty 
tons burthen, and should run at least four miles an hour. 
LiviNGSTON and Fultoist tlien proceeded to build a vessel 
in New York, whicli tliey called tlie Clairmont. It was 
the size of an ordinary canal boat, being one hundred 
feet long by twelve feet wide, and seven feet deep. 
But, small as it was, thereby hung the fate of that 
splendid steam marine that now circumnavigates the 
globe, and briiigs the antipodes to our threshold. 

FuLTON, himself, relates the difficulties whicli he eii- 
countered while building his vessel. His friends, indeed, 
were civil, but tliey were shy. The project was viewed 
by the public, either with indifférence, or with contempt, 
as a visionary scheme. The language was uniformly that 
of scorn, siieer, or ridicule. There was the loud laugh, 
the dry jest, the wise calculation of losses and expendi- 
tures, the dull and endless répétition of the Fulton 
folly. Never did a single encouraging reniark, a bright 
hope, a warm wisli, cross his path. At length the day 
arrived when the exjiei'iment'was to be got into opération, 
the 4th day of September, 1807. Invited ^friends were 
in groups on the deck, but there was anxiety mingled 



12 

with fear. The signal was given to cast oiF; the plank 
drawn in. The boat moved a short distance and then 
it stopped, and became immovable. " There, I told 
you so ; it is a foolish scheme ; I wish we were well ont 
of it," was heard on ail sides. But shortly the machin- 
ery was adjusted, and the boat was again in motion. 
She continued to move ou. But they were still incredu- 
lous. Soon they turn their backs upon the city. Then 
they pass the romantic scenery of the Highlands : 

4 

" The whispering wavea were lialf asleep, 
The clouds were gone to play, 
Aud on the woods and on the deep, 
The smiles of Heaven lay." 

The guns of West Point look grimly upon them. 
They gaze upon the late head-quarters of Washington, 
at Newburgh. They receive the good wislies of the cul- 
tivated society of Poughkeepsie. They look in at Ron- 
dout, which, twenty years thereafter, will become the 
terminus of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. 
They stop at the country home of Chaneellor Lwings- 
TON — Clairmont — f rom whom the little steamboat de- 
rives its name. The high peaks of the Catskills where 
Rip Van Winkle took his long sleep, next appears. 
Finally Hudson is reached, so named from the great 
Hendrick, who, two hundred years before, had discovered 
and sailed up the classic river which bears his name, and 
finally, Albany, the city of the capitol, which was reached 
after a passage of thirty hours. 

By the papers of that day it appears that the Clair- 
mont was advertised as a weekly passenger steamboat, 



13 

to leave Albany on Wednesdays, at eight o'clock, a. m. 
and New York on Saturdays, at six o'clock, p. m., making, 
tke passage in thirty hours, at a cost of sev^en dollars a 
passengei'. And while we contemplate this picture of 
sixty-four years ago, let us also look ou its prototype, in tke 
river steamer of to-day, virtually a palace floating hôtel, 
lier saloon a royal drawing-room, lier table a Lucullan 
banquet, her speed like that of a swift bird, wliile she 
transports a tkousand tons of mercliandise at every pas- 
sage. 

Closely folio wing upon tbe steamboat appear tlie efforts 
to apply steain to tlie powers of locomotion. Wooden 
tramways came into vogue in 1767. Thèse were laid 
down for ease in trausporting the coal from the mines to 
the seaport town of Newcastle. Nine years thereafter 
appeared cast-iron rails with an upright flange. In 1801 
came the edge rail, and the flange was transferred to the 
wheei; also the switch and the frog for passing the cars 
from one track to another. In 1805 Tavistock made a 
high-pressure engine, which was used on a tramroad, and 
was the forerunner of what might ha^^pen. In other 
words, it demonstrated the practicability of a plan for 
running wagons by steam. Then George Sïephenson, 
who was unable to read, but who could tend a boiler or 
mend a watch, or make shoes, proposed to Lord Ravens- 
woRTH, his employer, to construct a " traveling engine " 
to take the freiii-ht from the Kenilworth Collieries to the 
neighboring seaport town, nine miles distant ; and so lie 
built his first engine, whose first trial was in 1814, when 
it drew thirty tons weiglit in eight ^vagons, at the rate of 



14 

tliree miles an hour. Thus tHis unlettered man became 
tlie inventorof the passenger locomotive, and the founder 
of the gigantic railway System of the world.* 

Shortly he invented the steam blast iip the chimney, 
which increased the speed to six miles an hour. Then 
he discovered the cog wheels, put in double cylinders and 
crank motions, used steam spriiigs, for which he after- 
ward substituted steel springs, until twenty-three years 
thereafter, in 1827, the Stockton & Darlington Railway 
was established, when his engine carried some four liun- 
dred passengers eight miles an hour, " and, as the papers 
described it, excited a deep interest and admiration." 

But the public were warned against the locomotive. 
It would keep cows from grazing, and hens from laying. 
The air would be poisoned and birds fall dead as they 
past. Householders would be ruined ; horses become 
extinct, and oats unsalable. Country taverns would be 
ruined, and traveling rendered dangerous, for boilers 
would burst and passengers explode to ntoms. Viewed 
in the light of the présent, it is surprising what an amount 
of ignorance and shortsightedness then prevailed upon 
this subject. 

Application was now made to Parliament for a grant 
to build a railroad l)etween the two great cities of Liver- 
pool and Manchester, and the first plan was to build a 
horse railroad. But Stepiienson persuaded the directors 

* One day a lady asked Stephenson " wLat, in liis opinion, was the most 
atti'active force in nature ? " Stephenson reflected a moment, and then turn- 
ing upon her replied, " that probably it was the eye of a woman for the'man who 
loved her; for he miglit be at the farthest ends of the earth and the recollec- 
tion of her teiider glauce would briug him back, whennothing else would do." 



15 

to so biiild the road tliat eitlier horses or steam could be 
used. He expressed liis belief tliat tlie trains could be 
made to go twenty miles an lioiir. Tlie counsel for tlie 
road, liowevei", advised liim to restrict liiniself to ten miles 
an liour, in order tliat tlie statement miglit be believed. 
"Assuming tliis speed," asked a member of the parlia- 
mentary committee, "and a cow should stray iipon the 
track and get in tlie way of tlie engine, wonld it not be 
a very awkward circumstance ?" "I tliink it wonld," said 
Stepiienson, "be verra awkward — for the coo.'''' 

After the railway was built, in 1829, the directors 
ofïered a prize of £500, or $2,500, for the locomotive 
which wonld go ten miles an liour, and carry three times 
its weiglit. The engine built by Stepiienson, called 
"The Rocket," not oiily won the prize, bnt attained a 
velocity of twenty-nine miles an hour. Tliis decided 
the question in regard to the profitable use of locomotives, 
not only for tliis road, but for the railroads of the world. 
The next year this enterprise was opened to traffic, with 
eight locomotives, and Stepiienson became a great and 
wealthy gentleman. 

In 1826 a charter was granted to Stephen Van Rens- 
SELAER and others to build and operate a railroad between 
Albany and Schenectady. But it was an awkward ar- 
rangement, with an inclined plane at each end, where the 
cars, that looked like stage coaches, were let up and 
down by means of cables, and could be drawn either by 
steam or horses, and ran in connection with the lines of 
packet boats on the Erie canal. But the System of which 
this was the infant step, though not yet fifty years old, 



16 

has already taken possession of tlie principal avenues of 
tlie commercial world. In this countiy, following tlie 
track of the Buiïalo across thé western prairie, its occu- 
pation is fast verging on to one hundred thousand miles, 
and the number of engines and cars are not to be counted. 
Every important town lias its one or more railroads. In 
fact the scène of its greatest triumphs is upon this con- 
tinent. 

Its ceaseless motion is continued both wheu we wake, 
and while we sleep. The midnight hours hail its coming ; 
the early dawn watches its departure. A distant sound, 
like the voice of shells, portends its welcome approach 
along the shaggy side of the hill. It pauses a moment, 
to exchange the coming and the going. Anon, it moves 
with its precious burthen of humanity. The long roll 
of mist curves upward and away. Again, that song is 
echoed from the hills, which give forth a parting saluta- 
tion, like the murmur of a summer breeze when it lifts 
the heads of flowers, aud ripples over the lakes and 
streams. 

In 11^4, Franklin was appointed postmaster-general, 
when the horseback service between New York and 
Philadelphia was once a week, and liis accounts for two 
years were written on less than three quires of paper. 
It now consumes two thousand large sized ledgers per 
annum, and the fast mail train which combines every 
improvement in locomotion, and the post-office, trans- 
ports a half million of letters, and several tons of news- 
papers, a thousand miles in tvventy-four hours. 

Franklin would hâve examined, with interest, the 



17 

Works of Aekwrioht, Cartwright and Whitney, thé 
inventors, respectively, of tlie spinning mule, the power 
loom, and tlie saw gin, the tliree instruments wliicli hâve 
made tlie cotton manufacture of the world, which, in 
conferring a value of hundreds of millions of dollars 
upon the cotton crop, that it could not hâve otherwise 
possessed, so stimulated its production as to bring it into 
universal use, and for a time gave a semblance of truth 
to the saying, that "cotton is king : " which kept four mil- 
lions of slaves in bondage, and when the vaulting ambi- 
tion of the cotton producers would overleap itself, 
caused a convulsion which shook the civilized world to 
its center, before the hereditary bondsmen could be free. 

The history of the reign of cotton is entirely within 
the centennial period. Its introduction, as an agricul- 
tural product, into this country, was since 1784, as in 
thatyear a duty of three cents a pound was laid in order 
to " create its culture " in the Southern States. Previous 
to that time, such cotton as was manufactured at the 
North was imported from the West Indies, and Mr. 
BuEKE, a member of congress, from South Carolina, in 
that year, declared that " cotton was in contemplation " 
as an article of produce by the planters of his State, and 
Georgia, and that if good seed could be procured, he 
hoped it would succeed. 

Richard Arkwrigiit, the youngest of thirteen children, 
was born in 1732, the same year that George Washington 
first saw the light, who became the great exponent of 
civil liberty in the new world. He was bred a barber, 
which pursuit he folio wed. till he was thirty years of âge, 



18 

wlien he becanie acquainted witli a clockmaker named 
DeKay. Before liis time tlie warj) was composed of linen, 
because it was not tliouglit possible to spin the cotton 
thread sufficieutly fine and liard, for tliis purpose. The 
woof alone was of cotton, and the tliread was spun upon a 
distaff and a spindle, as had been done three thousand 
years before by the Greeks and Romans ; each spinner, of 
course, only drawing a thread at a time, by the thumb and 
iinger. As the demand increased, there were tifty thou- 
sand spindles in Lancashire alone, which were run gener- 
ally by the women of the neighborhood, and it was not 
uncommon for the weaver to go around and collect the 
product of four or tive spinners, before he was able to 
proceed with his day's work. But in 1768, the barber 
and the clockmaker united their fortunes, and proceeded 
to study up a model for the spinning of cotton thread. 
The machinery for which Arkweight took out his 
patents, enumerated no less than ten contrivances ; but 
the important one was virtually the artificial thumb and 
finger — in other words, the device by which the material 
was drawn out from a coarse to a fine and hard-twisted 
thread, and so rendering it fit to be used for the warp as 
well as for the woof. This was done by the cotton being 
placed first on one set of skewers from which it was 
drawn oiï by means of a pair of rollers which moved at 
a slow rate, and which formed the threads of the first or 
coarser quality ; while just behind was placed a second 
pair of rollers, revolving four or five times as fast, and 
which brought the thread to its proper state of firmness 



19 

and hardness. He brouglit togetlier and contrived, with 
great ingenuity and judgment, the water-frame and otlier 
inventions, with Lis own contrivances, and combined 
tliem into a liarmonious whole, wliose accomplishments 
were so perfect tliat one man and four girls could spin 
well what it required six liundred to do by tbe old pro- 
cess. 

Rev. Edward Cartwright was born twelve years 
after Aekwright, in 1743. He liad fine literary attain- 
ments ; was a poet and a clergyman, and, for the first 
forty years of his life, had never given any attention to 
the study of mechanics. 

But, in 1784, being in company with some gentlemen 
from Manchester, the conversation turned upon Ark- 
wright's spinning machinery. One said that shortly so 
many mills would be erected, and so much cotton spun, 
that hands would never be found to weave it. Where- 
upon he replied that ARKWRiaHT must now invent a 
weaving machine. But the gentleman proceeded to 
show that this was impracticable, just as the great Lard- 
NER, a few years ago, demonstrated by facts and figures 
that it was impossible for a vessel navigated by steam to 
cross the océan ; and by the time his communication was 
published, the first steamship had already entered the 
harbor of ISTew York. 

But Dr. Cartwright had seen the automatic chess- 
player, — and " You will not assert, gentlemen," he says, 
" that it is more difiicult to construct a machine that 
shall weave, than one that shall make ail the variety 
of moves that are requisite in that complicated game ? " 



20 

So, as he reflected on tîie matter, he conceived that there 
were required but three moves, iiot on the cliess-board, 
but to checkmate the weaver's beam of the past, wliich, 
like many another, had outlived its usefulness. The 
shuttle, to go forward and back, propelled by a spring, 
was to be followed by the reeds in a frame to press the 
thread on to the warp. Full of his theory, he invoked 
the aid of a carpenter and a Wacksmith, by whom the 
airy nothing was reduced to shape, and the resuit was 
the power loom, which, to his great delight, immediately 
wove a pièce of cloth. And the most remarkable thing 
was, that, neithei- in theory nor in practice, had he ever 
known any thing of the principles or construction of a 
weaving machine. But, sa.ys a manufacturer, there is one 
thing it cannot do, that is to weave in a pattern or fancy 
figure — in checks, or as the case may be. But, some 
weeks after, the minister showed to this same person a 
pièce of muslin in checks, which was manufactured in 
this power loom, and so astounded was the party that he 
insisted that supernatural agencies had assisted on the 
occasion. 

Eli Whitney was a native of Worcester county, Mass., 
and was born December 8, 1765, or twenty-two years 
after Dr. Cartwright. Whitney was, in his youth, 
known as a person of great inventive genius. Just after 
the Révolution he was engaged as a private tutor in the 
family of Mrs. Gen. Greene, at Savannah. A party of 
gentlemen at her house one evening were regretting that 
there were no means of cleansing or separating the green 
seed from the cotton bail, as, until they had such a 



21 

macliine whicli would facilitate the process of cleansing, 
it was useless to think of raising cotton extensively for 
market. " Wliy," said Mrs. Greene, " liere's my f riend 
Whitney ; lie can make aiiy tliing ! " 

So they procured for Whitney some seed and cotton 
balls, and he set himself to work with such rude mate- 
rials as a Georgia plantation might aiïord, and he built 
his machine, with which more cotton could be separated 
in a single day than by the ohl method in the space of a 
month. As the news of the contrivance spread abroad, 
multitudes flocked to see it, until, finally, they bi'oke iuto 
the building and carried it ofï. 

It was of such value that, in a report to congress upon 
the subject, the invention was claimed to hâve raised the 
price of southern lands from fifty to one hundred per 
cent. As a labor-saving machine, it enabled one man to 
perform the work of a thousand, as one gin mill had, per- 
haps, forty saws running at once. It furnishes to the 
whole family of mankind, at a very cheap rate, the most 
essential article of their clothing. 

Whitney afterward devised the machinery for the 
manufacture of arms for the government, and made some 
fifty thousand arms before the great factory at Spring- 
field was established. 

Thèse three inventors may be considered the founders 
of the cotton manufactures of the world, wdiich has 
grown with the growth of the century, since it was just 
one hundred years ago, in 1775, when Arkwright took 
ont his second patent for his spinning wheel. They 
hâve placed a value upon the cotton crop of this country. 



00 

which is estimated at tliree or four hundred millions per 
annum. 

In Great Britain it is regarded as one of the most 
extraordinary phenomenon in the history of industry. 
A century ago tlie imports of cotton amounted to aboiit 
five millions of pounds ; now tliey exceed five hundred 
millions of pounds. The inventoi's, including Watt, 
were English-speaking men. Their's is a country of iron 
and coal, and they are the purveyors of the world. 
There is not a nation, no matter how remote or barbarous, 
but what are iudebted for some portion of their com- 
forts or necessaries to the English-speaking nation. 
Neither Tyre, nor Carthage, nor Venice, nor Holland, nor 
ail combined, equal them in the extent of their com- 
merce, and their flag floats on every sea. 

" Quœ regio torrœ nostri non plena laboris." 

But we niay take this consolation, that Cotton is king 
by divine riglit of industry, which replenishes the earth 
and subdues it ; has given employment to millions of 
operatives, and has bestowed inestimable blessings to 
whole nations of his subjects by bringing cheaply to 
them the fabrics in which we are elothed, and which 
form so large a part of our domestic economy. 

Turning to his own pursuit of printing, Frankliist 
would hâve seen mucli that ^vas novel, in every branch. 
There is the manufacture of })aper from the pulj^ of 
wood — its slieets of indefinite length ; the multiplica- 
tion of the type by the process of stéréotype ; the cylin- 
der press which will throw oiï thousands of impressions 



23 

in an honr. Contemplate liis émotions wlien — having in 
mind tlie hand-press on wliicli he first worked, which 
was exhibited at Pliiladelpliia ; tlie ink-rollers he moved 
by hand, and tlie brawny slioulders witli whicli lie car- 
ried up tlie paper, ^vitli ail of which his life, written by 
himself, has made ns familiar — for tlie first time he is 
transported into a modem printing ofiice, and he sees a 
combination of mechanical powers siich as lie never could 
hâve dreamed of in his most enthusiastic moods. First, 
the motive power, furnished by tlie comparatively noise- 
less play of the steam-engine ; second, another practical 
application of his great idea of chaining down electricity 
to the service of mankind by its use in electrotyping the 
plates ; third, the roll or continuons sheet, a mile long, 
wheeled or carted in on the grouiid floor, while the 
printed f(jrms are delivered in the fourth story, in the 
bindery, at the rate of twenty-five or thirty thousand per 
hour ; and lastly the combination of contrivances which, 
in the modem press, prints, cuts, folds and trims, by 
automatic and self-regulating power. 

Franklin would hâve gazed curiously upon the simple 
art of taking sun-pictures, by the aid of a caméra and a 
few^ chemicals. But his astonishmeut w^ould hâve been 
unbounded when he fouud that this art, combined witli 
spectrum analysis, could unweave and fix the constituent 
parts of a ray of sunbeam, could pierce the upper air 
and analyze the composition of the atmosphères of the 
sun, moon and stars ; could photograj^h the transit of the 
planets — their beginning and their ending — with such 
exactness that the time can be measured on the plate, 



24 

and thereby the astronomical table and the calculations 
of tlie nautical almanac be proved, and, if necessary, cor- 
rected. Tlius, while Franklin snatched the lightning 
from heaven, tlie modem explorer pierces the fnrthest 
realms and détermines the fixed laws by which the uni- 
verse is goverued. 

I do not propose at this time to make any oration, 
although there is a great temptation. The Centennial 
will give us that in a way it is not in my feeble power 
to express, and for seven years to corne, — I see them com- 
ing now. There will be a long procession of the talent 
and intellect of the nation, some staggering under a 
weight of burden they are unable to bear, who will ven- 
tilate ail the important incidents of the American Révo- 
lution. Nothing that history has given to us will be left 
unsaid. Every hero will be advanced a niche higher in 
the tablet of famé. Every incident will be turned to 
account, and every place where deeds of valor were per- 
formed, if it does not hâve its monument, will at least 
hâve its orator to fight its battles over again, and con- 
quer ail its foes, and I hope that this ground on which 
we stand — this classic ground of America — where, one 
hundred and nineteen years ago, Montcalm's guns * were 
planted, will not be overlooked. I make no objection to 
this, but on the contrary believe it. I think that the 
rising génération should be thoroughly versed in the 
theory of the American government, and the early history 
of the country : 

First. Because it is their own ; 

*Caldwell. 



25 

Second. Because it was at the tiiiie one of thé most 
considérable clianges in government, and brouglit about 
more novelties in the condition of liuman beings, than 
lias ever occurred since the promulgation of the Gospel 
of Christ ; and 

Third. Because the work is self-made, and is neither 
a copy of any thing past, nor a product of external force, 
but is an unfolding of its ovvn internai nature. 

In gênerai, governments hâve been the resuit of force, 
fraud, or accident. But after six thousand years of ex- 
perimenting, it remained for the people of thèse United 
States to assemble peaceably, to deliberate fully, and to 
décide calmly upon that System of government under 
which they would wish that they and their posterity 
should live. People are fond of drawing parallels 
between this and other confederacies, but they are few 
and weak. This is 8iii generis, and furnishes to the world 
an example of freedom, wisdom and energy in the head, 
while insuring peace and bappiness to the whole. 

The house of Hapsburg, the Bourbon family in Spain, 
and the Pope of Rome, claim to rule in their respective 
governments by divine right — the divine right of kings. 
So the house of Tudor and of Stuart claimed to rule by 
divine riçrlit. But, afterward, circumstances over which 
kings could exercise no control, as for instance the cut- 
tine ofï the head of King Charles the I, changed the 
théories of the English government in this respect, and, 
according to Blackstone, the divine right was transferred 
from the kings to the parliament. In America our fath- 
ers protested against the divine right of parliament, 



26 

because we were not represented in parliament. Taxa- 
tion without représentation became one of thé watch- 
words of tlie révolution. In place of the power of the 
parliament, tbey set np the divine power of the people. 
They declared that to secure the rights of life, liberty 
and the pursuit of happiness, governments vrere instituted 
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent 
of the governed, — a doctrine so novel, and so entirely 
opposed to the then existing théories of government, that 
the wonder is some Pope did not issue a bull or syll- 
abus, that this must be taken as subordinate to that 
divine authority by which princes rule and kiugs govern. 

But the Gladstone of that time understood the case. 
" I hâve read," he says, " Thucydides, and hâve studied and 
admired the master States of the world, and I must dé- 
clare and avow, that in ail my reading and observation, 
and history has been my favorite study, that for solidity 
of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion 
under such a complication of difficult circumstances, no 
nation or body of men can stand in préférence to the 
gênerai congress of Philadelphia. 

Franklin was ambassador to the 'most polished and 
civilized court in Europe. It had sent ont to this coun- 
try its money, its ships of war and its régiments, com- 
manded by the young nobility — brave, chivalrous men, 
and the descendants of lines of ancestiy which reached 
back for hundreds of years to lives as noble as the royal 
family. There was Rochambeau, De Geasse, Field- 
Marshal Marquis De Chastellux, La Fayette, the 
Duke De Lauzan, who commanded a légion of cavalry, 



27 

and was noted for liis beauty, wit and bravery, and 
graceful manners; and the Chevalier De la Luzerne, 
from whom our town takes its name. Its kins:s in- 
herited tlie government by divine riglit ; tliey were 
the anointed of the Lord, and could do no wrong — 
anointed by the Pope, as the divine représentative of ail 
power among men. 

The people were serfs. They had no lights whieh 
royalty respected, and were ruled over with a rod of 
iron. The century witnessed that frightful révolution 
which sent to the guillotine twenty-two thousand of 
the fairest and most exalted children of France, for no 
other reason than because they were the nobility. It 
saw the wonderful reign of the iîrst Napoléon ; the 
attempted return to old luethods, by the House of 
Orléans, whose greatest recommendation to the govern- 
ment was their divine right ; the founding of the repub- 
lic, betrayed by traitors and put down by the force of 
the shain emperor, the second Napoléon, also sustained 
by divine right and the blessing of the Pope, and at the 
end of the century, a republic — a government founded 
upon the divine right of the people, proclaimed to be 
right, because, in the language of Montesquieu, such is 
the opinion of the people, who are alone the proper 
judges of the form of government they most désire. 

The divine right of kings means that to a single fam- 
ily or person, by Divinity itself (supported and sustained 
through the Catholic church), to this family or person is 
intrusted the right of government. They may be guilty 
of every known vice — may break every commandment 



28 

in thé Decalogue — but lais person is inviolate ; no law 
will toiicli bim, for the law centers in liim — is enibodied 
in him. He can dispense life, liberty, patronage, and 
pensions. 

The divine right of the people means tbe riglit to in- 
vestigate tlie conduct of their rulers, and to let theni 
down from tlieir higb places when tliey liave committed 
wrong. I rejoice in tliis divine riglit. 

In the year 1711 — in tlie last years of tlie reign of 
Queen Anne — a new parliament liaving met at the close 
of a long and snceessful war, comniissioners were ap- 
pointed to examine into the acconnts of the army and 
navy. Mr. Robert Walpole, one of their own nnmber, 
while secretaiy of war, had l'eceived on his private 
account £500 for contracta for forage for the qneen's 
troops, quartered in Scotland. The act appeared so plain 
and scandalous that the house of commons voted the 
secretary to hâve been gnilty of a high breach of trust 
and notorious corruption, and committed him to impris- 
onment in the Tower, where he remàined till the end of 
the session, and they also expelled him from the house. 

The Duke of Marlborough, by force of his great tal- 
ents, had been elevated to the highest places of trust in 
the kin^dom. He was s-eneral-in-chief of the Enç-lish 
forces. In 1704 he had fougjht the e^reat battle of Bien- 
heim against the combined forces of the French and Ba- 
varians. There ^vere eighty thousand troops on a side. 
The Englisli and their allies gained a complète victory, 
with a loss to the enemy of ten thousand killed and 
wounded and above thirteen thousand prisoners. 



29 

For this and other services parliament tendered him 
the thanks of the nation. They erected for liim a mag- 
nificent palace, and voted him large siims of money. He 
was advanced to tlie liighest posts of the kingdom. No 
man deserved more ; no m an was more popular than he. 
But time rolled on, and it was' discovered that he lacked 
a high sensé of honor. It was found that himself and 
his wife had been in the habit of receiving valuable prés- 
ents from contractors and others who fnrnished supplies 
to the army, and also two and a half per cent of the sub- 
sidy furnished to the foreign troops. Ile endeavored to 
excuse this, as having been the practice of other gênerais. 
But this excuse was of little weight, and the mischievous 
conséquences of sucli a corruption were visible enough, 
since thèse moneys were but bribes for lucrative places, 
or for connivance with their indirect dealings with the 
army. And, as frauds that begin at the top are apt to 
spread through ail the subordinate ranks, for every 
thousand pounds given to the gênerai the country suf- 
fered four-fold. 

The history of thèse times shows that, for this jobbery 
and corruption, the great Duke of Maelborough, not- 
with standing his great capacity and services, was obliged 
to step down and ont, and never afterward recovered his 
place, either in the nation's esteem or her councils. Thus 
was vindicated the divine right of the people, which may 
always be trusted to vindicate itself when confronted 
with corruption in high places. 



30 

Ladies and gentlemen, my task is over. If I hâve 
awakened any new trains of tliought in y ou while upon 
this great subject of tlie Centennial year ; if I hâve even 
given to you in hearing one-half of the satisfaction I liave 
taken in writiug tliis paper, ni}^ aini is accomplished. 

Let me conclude in the remarkably apposite words of 
Gouverneur Morris, written fifty years since, when 
advocating the construction of certain works of internai 
improvement, but which I regard as singularly applicable 
to the subject-matter before us this evening : 

" Things which, twenty years ago, a man would hâve 
been laughed at for believing, we now see. At that time 
the most ardent mind, proceeding on established facts, 
by the unerring rules of arithraetic, was obliged to drop 
the pen at results which the imagination could not em- 
brace. Under circumstances of this sort, there can be 
no doubt that those microcosmic minds which, habitually 
occupied in the considération of what is little, are inca- 
pable of discovering what is great, will not unsparingly 
distribute the epithets, absurd, chimerical, ridiculous, on 
the estimate of what this enterprise may produce. 
***** The coramissioners must hâve the 
hardihood to brave the sneers and sarcasms of men who, 
witli too much pride to study, and too much wit to think, 
undervalue what they do not understand, and condemn 
what they cannot comprehend. The life of an individual 
is short. But no temi is fixed to the existence of a State, 
and the fîrst wish of a patriot's heart is, THAT HIS 
OWN MAY BE IMMOKTAL." 



CÏÏAPTER I. 

The Gateway op the Adirondacks — Ti-se-rando — Historic Réminis- 
cences — The Scout op 1777 — Jesup's Patent — Ancient Gather- 
iNG Places op the Iroquois — Tory Incursions to Ballston Fort — 
Burgoyne's Campaign — The Chevalier de la Luzerne — Cardinal 
DE LA Luzerne — Duke de Lauzun. 




ITH the opening of the summer season, tourists begin 
to flock into the Adirondacks. Tlie beauty of the 
natural sceneiy, and the saluljrious climutc, yearly 
attract great numbers of visitovs, 

Prominent among tlie pleasant places of resort 
in Nortliern New York is 

It is sometimes called tlie "Gateway of the Adirondacks," bccause 
on the railway, a mile or two below the Iladley dépôt, the cars pass 
through a long sandy basin, known as the "Steam Shovel Cut," 
and then very snddenly émerge into a broad valley, bounded by 
Antonio mountain on the west, and the Luzerne or Thayer moun- 
tain on the east, while the Upper Iludson winds and turns from 
side to side, affording, for the distance of forty miles, up to North 
creek, a succession of picturesque views of hill, valley, and water, 
that are almost unrivaled. 

Luzerne is an liour's ride from Saratoga Springs. Oonspicuous 
among the hills is ''The Potash," which is in the form of a hemi- 
sj^here Êfteen hundred feet high, rocky and bold. 

Phelps' bay, or "Ti-sc-ran-do," 'The Meeting of the Waters," 
is formed by the confluence of the Hudson and Sacandaga rivers, 
and is famous for its pickerel and bass fishing. A small pleasure 



32 

steaniboiit nuis froni this place to Jesup's Landiiig, six miles 
distant. 

Luzerne village is located in a sandy, piney région, entirely free 
from miasma or malaria, and for this reason is liiglily recom- 
mended by physicians for ail who are liable to pulmonary com- 
plaints. 

It lias an élévation of between seven and eight luindred feetabove 
tide-water, and abont four hundred feet above Lake George. 

In the purity of its atmosphère it is unsurpassed. The différ- 
ence in the moisture between this and the scashore is shown by 
the hydrometcr to be twenty degrees. 

Children and others who bave been brought hère almost at the 
very point of death, bave recovered, and shortly put on the full 
blush of vigorous health. 

The place is as it were on the skirts and certainly within camion 
heariug of the great battlefields of Lake George and Saratoga. It 
is related that in 1777, a scout was endeavoring to iind bis way down 
the Sacandaga valley, to communicate to Burgoyne the circunistance 
of the defeat of bis friend St. Léger, who had been driven back from 
Fort Schuyler, on the Upper Mohawk. As he approached the 
narrow gorge, through wliicli the waters rush between higli cliffs, 
where jutting rocks made the passage only about twelve feet wide, he 
was Avaylaid by a party of whigs. wlien, to save bis life, he rushed 
down the precipitous bank, jumped the river at the afore-named 
place, and, clambering np the opposite bank, escaped. His pursuers, 
batfled, sent after liim a few shots but without effect. 

This town was first settled shortly after the close of the old 
French war. On the 14tli August, 1707, was filed a pétition of 
Edward and Ebcnezor Jesup and others, asking for a grant of 
4,100 acres of land on the east side of the river (Jesup's i)atent, on 
whicli the village of Luzerne is located). Mr. Jesup owncd niills 
hère, and the place where his bouse was built is still pointed ont. 
Of this family, among others, conies M. K. Jesup of New York, 
of honorable famé. As the révolution approached, party si)irit 
ran very liigh, the Lindscys, Ortons, etc., being on the patriot 
side, whilc the loyalists were represented by the FairchiUls, Dex- 
ters, G illises, and others. On the approach of Burgoyne the 
Lindscys and Ortons buried their goods and took refuge in Albany, 
while the tories held bigh carnival, but this was soon to be reversed 
by their trium])hal return, aftei" the defeat and surrender of the 
British général. 



33 

On the western shore of Luzerne Lake, opposite to tlic Way-side 
IIOTEL, was an ancient gatliering place and fisliing lodge of the 
Iroquois Indiaus. Quantities of flint arrow-heads, stone hammers 
and otlier implements of savage life, hâve, froni tirae to time, becn 
fonnd hère. 

It was on the great Sach-en-da-gua and Mague's trail, extending 
from Johnstown to Lake George, with a branch over the Luzerne 
Mountain to Fort Edward, and another down to Ka-che-bon-cook 
or Palmer's Falls. 

In 1755, King Hendrick, Avitli liis three hundred dusky braves, 
eucamped liere while on his way froni the Mohawk Castles to the 
terrible disaster of Bloody Pond, Avhere lie lost his life. 

Farther west was an ludian trail which extended from Ballston 
northward to tiie Kay-a-de-ros-ras range, thence over the mountain 
past Lake Désolation, which is near the summit and so called, 
probably, froni its lonely surroundings, thence down Daly's creek 
across the Sacandaga river, and up the valley of Paul creek to 
Schroon Lake, and thence to Crown Point on Lake Chaniplain. 
By this route varions raids were made by tories and refugees who 
seenied to hâve a peculiar spite against their old neiglibors near the 
Ballston Fort. 

Sir John Johnson, when lie came down from Canada, in 1781, to 
recover tlie family plate buricd at Johnstown Hall, took this route 
with his tory allies. 

In 1777 occurred the mémorable campaign which resulted in the 
surrender of Burgoyne aiid his British force at Saratoga. Burgoyne 
had a splendid army of 7,000 regular troops and 2,000 Canadians, 
besides a host of Indian warriors drawn from the various northern 
tribes that depended upon the British crown. 

On the 26th June the army, with its horses, cattle, provisions, 
cannon and munitions of war, embarked in boats prepared for their 
use, which covered Lake Chaniplain from shore to shore, and with 
thousands of oars flash ing in the sunlight, with streaming banners 
and amid triumphant niusic, he swept up to Crown Point. 

They scattered and drove back the forces of St. Clair at Ticon- 
deroga, and, concentra ting the army at Skeensborough, the gênerai 
prepared for a triumphant mardi upon Albany. The successes at 
liubbardston and Fort Ann, and the comparatively easy mardi to 
Fort Edward, only rencAved the ardor of the army, and it was not 
until he had received his first staggeriug blow at Bennington from 



34 

the patnot forces under General Stark, that Biirgoyne began to 
realize that possibly liis expédition would prove a failnre. 

The engagement of October 7th was one of the décisive battles 
of the world, and was the turning point of the revolationary Avar. 
It decided the fate of American independence, and liberty, which 
was ])efore but un idéal dream, now took shape and leaned with 
confidence upon the assuring arm of Hope. On the 19th of Octo- 
ber he surrendered his army and munitions, consisting of 5,000 
troops, 7,000 stand of arms and 42 pièces of cannon, on the blood- 
stained fields of old Saratoga, 

It was thcn that his most Christian Majesty Louis XVI took 
hcart to send over a few régiments, under the command of the 
gallant Count de Rochambeau, and also ships of war for our assist- 
ance. 

He also sent over a diplomat and minister, who would not only 
give encouragement to General Washington, and the Continental 
Congress, but who would furnish reliable information to the court 
at home, of the state of affairs hère, and the progress of the révo- 
lution. The person so selected was the Chevalier de la Luzerne. 
He was born in Paris in 1741. The chevalier landed in Boston in 
1779, and on the 30th of September of that year was received with 
military honors by General Washington, at West Point, to wliom . 
he brought despatches from La Fayette, and also the information 
that Spain had joined with France in hostilities against England. 

In the following year, 1780, the chevalier partici^mted in the 4tli 
of July célébration at Philadelphia. On the same day was lield 
the commencement for conferring degrees in the arts, upon the 
students in the University of Pennsylvania. He said he "could 
but congratulate them on that ausi)icious day, which, amid the 
confusions and désolation of war, beheld learning beginning to 
revive, and animated them with the pleasing prospect of seeing 
the sacred lamp of science buru with a still brighter flame, and 
scattering its invigorating rays over the unexplored déserts of that 
extensive continent, until the whole Avorld should be involved in 
the unitcd blaze of knowledgc, liberty and religion." 

Luzerne remained in America till the close of the war, 1783. 
He liad much inlluence, and performed the res2)onsibilities of a 
position, which the absence of instructions often made difficult. 
He was ambassador from France to London from 1788 till his 
death in September, 1791. 

We are indebted to the chevalier for the namc of this town, as 



35 

the iieighboring town of Move.ui uwes its name to one of France's 
brightest genenils. 

The Cardinal de la Luzerne, a very learned jjrelate, was an elder 
brother of the chevalier. Ile was bisliop of Langres in 1770, Avas 
elected to the States General in 178'J, emigrated in 1791, and was 
made a cardinal in 1817. Among liis numerous works is "Con- 
sidérations on Divine Points in Christian Morality." He died in 
1821. 

The Duke de Lauzan was an accomplished French officer, who 
came to this country with the Count de Kochambeau. He com- 
manded a légion of cavalry, and was celebrated for his beauty, 
wit, talents and wealth. Ile was stationed for some time near 
Newport, R. L, and particiiiated in the siège of Yorktown and 
sarrender of Cornwallis, in 1781. The duke suffered death by the 
guillotine, December 31, 1793. 




36 



CHAPTER II. 



DeSCKIPTION OF LUZEIINE — SCENEllY — MOUNTAINS — WaTEKS — FaLI,S - 

Drives, etc. 



:() iiKiny — ^perluips iiiost of our readers — a descrip- 
tion of Luzerne may seeni superfluous. But 
a jùcture is always attractive, when it recalls 
■• pleasant memories," and it is therefore Avith great 
pleasure we introduce sonie of tlie briglit pen and 
ink sketches, whicli, perhaps, too enthusiastic writers 
hâve froni time to time given to the newsjDapers in 
regard to tins cliarniing resort. 

An Autumn Letter. 

Luzerne, Odoher 3, 1874. 

" La Belle Luzerne " is herself again, living in tlie smiles of lier 
own native simplicity, and the pleasant sunshine of the i^assing 
autiimn days. The fashionably attired throng, which, throiigh the 
past snmnier, crowded the hôtels and promenaded the shady streets 
of this deliglitful summer resort, hâve taken their departure for 
the great cities of the east, west and south, we trust j^hysically 
strengthened and spiritually rejuvenated. Luzerne is a beautiful 
little village, located iipon the east bank of the Hudson, in a 
sequestered glen that lies betvveen the Sayaderosseras range on the 
west and the Luzerne on the east. Its situation and gênerai 
appearance is indeed picturesque bcyond description ; and, Avhile 
it charms the traveler witli the mingled amenity and grandeur of 
its scenery, it batlies hini in an atmosphère of unequaled purity, 
giving an additional tone to the muscles of health, and inspiring 
the enervated with exhilaration and vigor. 

Observation as well as science hâve proven to us beyond a doubt 
that this locality upon the Hudson, over which the lofty moun- 
tain peaks are the etcrnal sentinels, and the pines whisper their 
ccaselcss murmur, can nowhere hc excelled in point of salubrity or 
varied beauty of natural scenery. Indeed, the statistics of the 
board of health go to show that the average longevity of the hunian 



37 

race is mnch grcater in this section of country tlian in any otlier 
région heretofore investigated ; and many, who from our great 
cities hâve made this their snmmer home for the past few years, 
are ready to testify to the superiority of its natural advantages in 
supplying a i)nrc, unadulterated oxygenated atmosphère, over the 
crowded watei-ing places to which they hâve formerly made tlieir 
yearly pilgrimages, which readily relieve their pockcts by extor- 
tionate charges, withont the utility of adéquate compensation, 
either in health or pleasure. 

Agreeable and not expensive accommodations hâve already been 
made sure for the entertainment of guests. * * * * 

The grounds about the Wayside are capacious, and are gradually 
being laid ont and developed with mnch taste and labor. The 
walks are prettily arranged and shaded by evergreens and maples, 
with hère and there clusters of trees and lines of rich foliage. 

In front of the house and in full view from the eastward piazza, 
rests, like a gem embosomed among the hills and foliages, the most 
beautiful sheet of water imaginable — Lake Luzerne. No foreign 
shore can boast a more perfect picture of rural loveliness ; hère the 
water lies spread before you, in one broad sheet of mother silver, 
upon whose calm surface is mirrored forth ail the beauty and 
grandeur of the surrounding scenery — wooded summit, forest, field, 
tree, shrub and flower, each unité with the ever-changing hue of 
the clouds above, to embellish the surface of the iilacid waters. No 
Chillon's Castle or moss-grown tower frowns upon its shores 
reflecting their grey walls and darkdeeds upon this hallowed retreat 
of nature ; but ail is in its pristine state, sendiug forth inspirations 
as pure and holy as whcn first spoken into existence by the fiât of 
Jehovah. Ilere boats are always in readiness ni the boat-house 
upon the lake shore for the accommodation of pleasure-seekers, and 
during the warm, still days of the summer season, boat riding ujion 
the lake is not only a favorite amusement but a great luxury. 

There is a carriage drive extending entirely around the lake 
(a distance of about three miles, Avhich leads you amid scenery of 
which Switzcrland would gladly boast — beauty which tlie indelible 
tints of time only make more attractive and grandeur that défies 
the spirit of decay ; and whenever over ail sweeps the soft winds of 
a summer evening — running along the summits of tall trees in 
gentle whispers, or touching the more humble foliage with a gentler 
breath, the efïcct is indecd enchanting and enthralls the sensés with 
its unrivaled loveliness. 

A few handsome summer résidences hâve been erected u})on or 



38 

near the lake sliore, by wealthy gentlemen from the city, and add 
mucli to the gênerai appearance of the place, 

A very tasteful Episcopal chnrch is nearly finished, and gives 
promise, both within and witliout, of a tribiito to the sesthetic tastes 
of the aristocratie congrégation 'wlio, every summer, worship within 
its low-browed walls. 

This little village can also boast of many high-toned and honor- 
able citizens who hâve ever exerted a great and salutary influence 
over the siirrounding commnnity. 

Improvements seem to be the order of the day, and are prosecuted 

with vigor ail over the place. If at any point there can be 

discovercd a flaw in natiire's arrangements, it is rcadily remodeled 

and constructed into an ornamental necessity under the efficient 

liand of art. Thns the "rough places are made smooth," and 

nature and art peacefnlly combine to make La Belle Luzerne a 

masterpiece of beanty and attraction. 

Chloe D. s. 

From the New York Times. 

Way-side House, 
Luzerne, August, 1875. 

Those who would see the lovely and the wild, mingied in nature's 
harmony, come hither. It is a delightful spot surrounded by ail 
that admirers of beautiful scenery can désire, added to which are 
ail necessary créature comforts found at any watering place in the 
country and the patronage of the most cultivated society. 

Just beyond the village, and about seveu hundred feet above tho 
level of the sca, lies Luzerne Lake, a beautiful sheet of water with 
a single island, and upon the shore of the lake, within a few hun- 
dred feet of the water's edge, stands tho Way-side House, built in 
strict Swiss architecture, with eight or ten cottages in close prox- 
imity to correspond. So perfect is the picture that, as you approach 
the hôtel, you imagine yourself really in a Swiss village. Every 
thing about the place reminds you of Swiss scenery ; even the boats, 
lying idle in the lake awaiting your orders, hâve a foreign look, 
and the guests, themselves, greet you with a continental grâce 
corresponding with that given to Americans when abroad, and 
iinally the place may well be called " the Switzerland of America," 

" The Gate-way of the Adirondacks." 
As near as I can judge, there are, at présent, comfortable quarters 



39 

for six or seveii hundred guests, in and about tlie place. The 
cottages rent for from four to twelve hundred dollars each for the 
season ; most of those who occupy them, taking their meals at 
the hôtel. The drives about the place arc beautiful, the roads 
excellent, and the conveyances, consisting of ail kinds of carriages 
including ''the backboards," comfortable and cheap. 

Jessups' Landing is five miles south, and you can ride on either 
side of the river, which afford a séries of views that for picturesque 
beauty are unsurpassed. Glcns Falls, thirteen miles distant over 
the mountain, is another delightful drive, presenting additional 
attractions for those who enjoy varied scenery and a pure atmos- 
phère. * * * Higli hills, densely wooded, tower up on ail 
sides ; shaded carriage-d rives and romantic foot-paths surround the 
lake. A large number of plcasure-boats are seen on the water at 
ail liours of the day and u}) to a late hour of the evening, and not 
a fcw of them are rowed by young ladies in unique boating habits. 
Back of the Wilcox House a path down through the bushes and 
over rocks, leads to the Luzerne rapids of the Hudson river, which 
descend eighteen feet through a narrow gorge. From the back 
piazza of the Cascade House, which overlooks a deep chasm and 
is directly opposite the Indian Grove wliere picnics are held, a 
most charming view of the surrounding country is obtained. In 
the north several peaks of the Adirondack range are visible, and 
the Valley of the Hudson is seen for many miles to the south. A 
novelty to strangers is the back-board, a long, springing, easy 
riding wagon, capable of holding two persons. The ladies consider 
them a favorite vehicle aud takc many long rides in them. Con- 
certs, boat races, croquet parties, picnics and many othcr amuse- 
ments make life at Luzerne really attractive. Its proximity to 
Saratoga makes fashionablc life only an liour's ride away, so that 
pleasure parties are frequeutly formed to go to and rcturn from the 
springs the same day. 

Conklingville is a thriviug manufacturing hamlet six miles up 
the Sacandaga river. The stream is crossed by the railroad 
bridge one hundred feet high. On either side of the river the drive 
is picturesque in the extrême. 

A few years will produce quite a change in tins whole country ; 
accommodations hâve not increased fast enough to acconimodate 
the visitors to Luzerne. Even now the patrons of the Way-side 
are among the most cultivated and intellectual citizens of our 
metropolitan cities, who go there for pure rest and country air, 
and find plenty of amusement among themselves. 



40 



From a Letter by Rey. T. C. Cuyler. 

Yesterday afternoon, about an honr before sunset, we climbed 
to a breezy hill-top, Avhich rises at tlie junction of the lludson and 
Sacandaga rivers, and got another view of Luzerne and its snr- 
roundings which will lie in my mcmory like one of Churcli's or 
Gifford's landscapes. The September sun-light was fnll of warmth 
and gold ; tlic distant Adirondacks lay pure and l)lne on tlie far-off 
horizon ; so looked the Délectable Moun tains to the pilgrims from 
the " hill called Clear."' Right at oiir feet the Ilndson, after forty 
or fifty miles of singled blessedness, is wcdded to the more boister- 
ous and rapid Sacandaga, 

Just under that bridge down yonder, the fanions river sqneezes 
itself through an aperture in the rocks only fifteen feet wide. But 
they tell us that the black-looking water in that narrow throat is 
seventy feet in depth. Hère is a good hint for ministers in the 
condensation of sei-mons. Let the thought be deep, rapid and 
strong like yonder stream, and, like that, let it come down from 
the everlasting Mils. 

From the hilltop yesterday our delighted eyes took in a charm- 
ing landscape, very much like to a view of mountain and vale and 
lake which the poet Wordsworth once pointed ont to us from above 
his cottage at ''Rydere Monnt." Over a smooth plateau we could 
see the pine grovcs that skirt the miniature LaTce of Luzerne. 

Next to the pure mountain air, this mountain lake is the chief 
attraction to this spot. It is less than two miles in diameter, but 
the waters seem to hâve come from the same crystal cloud that 
originally filled Lake George. The pine groves grow close to the 
lakeside, and mirror themselves in its azuro depths. Its surface is 
as placid as a good man's conscience. This morning we spent on 
the lake, rowing from point to point in a sound, orthodox, little 
boat, called the ''Deacon." Sometimes our shallop ran into a 
plantation of water lilies, and then, when a white flower lay watch- 
ing us with its bright, golden eye, we pulled toward it, and tlie 
children vied with each othcr in stretching over the boatside to 
pluck the prize. Sometimes we lifted the oar and let the musical 
pearls drop from it tinkling into the water ; and so, in comi)any 
with many other little sliips, we cruised about our Lake of Gallilee 
for many liours. Instead of fisli we caught flowers, and came 
home laden with spoil. 



41 



Feom THE Albany Evening Journal. 

I hâve bcen ai tliis cliarming retreat for nearly a fortniglit. 
Nature is so lavish of lier charms hère, that I look uneasily forward 
to tlie time when I mnst exchange tlieir enjoymeiit for their mem- 
ory, A picture Claude might eiivy is had from every window of 
the house. A small but unrivaled lake, im})risoned by tlie moun- 
tains, lies in front of the hôtel. Southward the little village gleams 
white iu the foreground, while against the dark hills beyond, the 
Hudson chafes and frets among the rocky barriers that restrain 
him, till, like an impetuous steed, with many a curve and white 
with foam, lie rushes forward to nieet the Sacandaga in a wild 
embrace. 

What do we do ? IIow do we enjoy ourselves ? What do we 
not, that is hcalthful — inspiring — that youtli delights in, or 
âge enjoys. We brcathc tliis niountaiu, piney air. We stretch 
our muscles on that lovely lake — *' that dimple on the face of 
Nature." We breakfast on délicate chicken, on frcsli cggs, on 
bewitching rolls and tenderloiii steaks, and then we promenade 
the long piazzas, or watcli the cro([uet, or seek a point uiider the 
whispering pines, and watch the lights and shadows and listen to 
the voiccs of the gay. * * Later, the rich lines of the sunset 
draw us to the nortli piazza, or avoo us agaiii upon the water, 
where, with tuneful voices and measured oar, we Avatcli the fading 
splendors of the twilight, or gaze upon the unnumbered stars — 
" While the moon, respleudent orb of night, 
O'er the heaveu's pure azuré sheds her sacred light.'' 

The evening brings the subdued charm of conversation, and the 
soft voices of élégant Avomen are heard in wit, or repartee, or 

music, as their fancy dictâtes. Sometimes Miss M thrills our 

nerves with her magnificent interprétation of Chopin or ^Strauss, 

and then again Miss L or Miss W make the trcmbling 

air vocal with their harmony. 

Beautiful drives are everywhere to be met; one is down the 
Hudson to Palmer's Falls. Under tliis modest name, and alniost 
unknown to famé, lies a beautiful waterfall. The Hudson, swollen 
by récent rains, is pouring a huge volume of Avater over, making a 
cascade of wonderful beauty. Through a white curtain of mist 
that veils, not conceals, and murmuring its deep bass by the pali- 
sades that rise above, fiows the rushing river, fretting and foam- 
ing, until, with a mighty bound, it leaps and falls into the white- 
flecked basin below. 



43 



From THE Home Journal. 

Ifc is donbtful if there is, in ail tlie State of New York, any otlier 
spot or place so charming as this froin wliicli I write. I may pro- 
mise liere that tlie main purpose of going anyvvliere for a sumnier 
vacation is rest, récréation, liealth and ploasure. * * * A real 
novelty is tlie buckboard livery. 

Seated in one of thèse long, springing, easy-riding wagons, a drive 
aronnd tlie lake, or tlirongli tlie village, or on the monntain forest 
roads, is a mncli greater luxury, and certainly a mucli greater nov- 
elty, than a drive tlirough Central Park or Harlem Lane. Those 
wlio conie once, are pretty sure to conie again, and tliere are 
parties now from New York wlio liave spent tlie sunimer liere 
every year since tliis lionse lias been open. 

In the immédiate vicinity of The Wayside are a niimber of 
cottages. Thèse hâve fine gronnds 'about tliem witli the most re- 
freshing sliade, and are the most delightf ni rnral retreats imaginable. 

From this lofty, cool, delightfnl, rpiiet retreat, wliere a man may 
be in siich accord witli nature and witli himself, I exten'd my 
sympathies to the mnsic snrfeited, spring water drinking, full 
dressed, ball-attcnding visitors at Saratoga, and with my warm, 
moist hand of greeting and good will I beckon tliem to come up 
and share with me the delights of this charming spot. 



Fai^ewell in Huz^vxx^. 



Farewell, Luzerne ! l've lingered, 

Charmed with thy fragrant air, 
And thrilled with happiness beside 

Thy Lake so sweetly fair. 
Farewell, briglit hills and valleys. 

And nooks and corners cool; 
I love thee, garlanded Luzerne, 

Farewell! l'm oiFfor school. 

Good-bye, great palisades of glory pink, 

That come at sunset's hour ; 
Good-bye, gay gold-lined lilies ; 

Drink the morning dew, my flower. 
Nymphs of water and nymphs of Avood, 

Sprites of the forest, too, 
I bid ye farewell, I bid ye be good, 

For l'm comiug back to you. 



43 



A last, fond look my dear " Cobble " hill, 

A tender glance at "Wayside," 
I listen again to the murmuring rill, 

And I long for another ride. 
But gig a gig-gig, and away I go 

Back to my books and rule ; 
Colurabia's fair Luzerne, adieu, 

There's trouble aliead — at scliool. 



Jht5 Ê^at^dij-lfuU. 

Valerio's Point. 
" The Way-side Witchcs' Iiimnfatiou." 

Round about the cauldron go, 

In the sweet molasses throw ; 

Wintergreen without the berry, 
Almonds scraped by maidens merry, 
Peanuts brown, that children love, 
Flowers gathcred in the grove ; 

Double, double, toil and trouble, 

Pire burn and cauldron bubble. 

Nodding pines drop needles down, 
Daddy long-legs crawl along; 
Butterfiies with changing hue, 
Sprigs of hemlock, slips of yew. 
For a charm of powerful trouble 
Let the cauldron boil and bubble. 

Hear that catbird's gcntle niew, 
There's a sheldrake conie to view. 
Above a crow is hoarsely croaking, 
While below the group are dancing ; 
So round and round about we go, 
While fires beneath the cauldron glow. 

Children rush, seize spoon and ladle, 

Singing waltzes, yeclept "Mabel," 

Now they dip, and taste and burn, 
Then for flour and butter yearu, 
Drinking, laughing, frolic led. 
On the green sward's fragrant bed ; 

Hail, our circle ! rural Queen, 

Gypsies ail our maidens seem. 



Nellik. 



Arabella. 



44 



^ Ifai^tmg: Salute. 



I. 
» 

O, fairest lake, among the pine-clad hills, 
A wanderer turning sadly from thy shore, 

Sends back a farewell to the crystal rills 

Which leap toward thee, whose voice is heard no more. 

II. 

A farewell to the waves that break along 
Thy margin to the suramer's evening breeze, 

A farewell to the birds of night whose song 
Re-echoes through the never-fadhig trees. 

III. 

A farewell to thy hills, whose stately mien 
And rocky crowns atte.st their kingly sight, 

Whose soft, rich velvet slopes, now green, 
Now blue or purple, in the ebbing light. 

IV. 

A farewell to thy rugged charms, Luzerne; 

From lake and stream, from whip-poor-will and grove, 
From grand old hills, regretfuUy I turn, 

Since I bave learned thy very name to love. 

V. 

For thèse are kin to human sympathy 

And love and trnst. I grieve from them to part; 

And oh! to leave the friends who welcomed me, 
'Tis tins, Lnzerne, that saddens niy fond heart. 



Charade. 

When you hâve fonnd my first, 
Tm-n not to my second 
Till you reach my whole. 

When you shall bave found the loay^ 

Let not aside your footsteps stray 

Until in safety you abide 

Beneath the gables of 

" WAVSIDK." 



E. L. 



45 




ClIAPTER III. 

Cemetery Consécration — CmjRciiES — New Episcopal Ciiurcii. 

^«_,ii^^-j^j, ^^ thc most ploasing cérémonies cvor witnessecl 
in Luzerne Wiis the consecrution of tlie Cemetery, 
at thîit [)]ace, wliicli occnrred on the 9tli of Jnly, 1873. 
The rain of the niglit before hacl purificd the air, and 
left the atmosphère transparent. Tlie sparkle of the lake, 
the fresh odors of thepincs, thegroups on (he hxwn, tlie 
S^r^'W' g'î^ily filled piazzas ail made np a pictnre of élégance and 
^ refinement. Nothing that the painter or realist could 

desiiu was wantiug. The Troy convocation of the Albany Diocèse, 
opened with service and célébration of the Blessed Eucharist atseven 
o'clock in the morning ; at eleven o'clock the Litany was said ; and 
a sermon of great beauty and power preached by the Rev. Dr. Walch 
of Troy. Then followed the business meeting. At four o'clock 
the procession for the Cemetery moved. The children of the 
Sunday Schools, and also of the Division of the Sons and Daugh- 
ters of T'emperance, with tlags and banners, assembled at the 
Methodist Church. After them, in carriages, came Mr. J. H. Law- 
,rence, Président of the Cemetery Association, acting as marshal, 
thc Clergy, invited guests, Soldiers of the war of 1812, represented 
by Mr. John McEwen, .John Towner, Josei)h Fergiison and Daniel 
Stewart, also Wm. Léonard, aged 82 years, a vétéran of the British 
army, who fought under Lord Nelson at the famous battle of 
Trafalgar. The Mexican war of 1848 was represented by Brig. 
Genl. Thos. J. Leslie and Rear Admirai Sizero M. Priée, who were 
guests at the Wayside, representing also the Army and Navy of the 
U. S. The soldiers of the war of 1861 were Col. B. C. Butler, Lt. 
Col. Duncan Cameron, Dr. James G. Porteous, Lt. James H. Law- 
rence, Orderly Wilson Smead, Sergt. James P. Darling, Sergt. Amasa 
Read, George Blackwood, Wm. S. Taylor, Harvey Beach, Dyer S. 
Rice, James Daniels and Abram Adamson. 

Luzerne has many charms. Its mountains are bold and pictur- 
esque, its forest dense with its green mantlc, and its lovely lake, 
from the piazzas of the Swiss looking Wayside Hôtel, looks like a 



46 

glittering jewel set in a an emerald border. But never did it pré- 
sent a more attractive picture than at last <3vening's sunset. The 
bright flags, tlie societies in orderly array, the youth and beauty of 
the village, the invited guests in carriages, made, as they wound 
their devions way to the Cemetery, an animated if not impressive 
spectacle. 

Ari-iving at the Cenietery the procession followed the nsnal cus- 
tom, walking the circuit of the gronnds, and tlien gathered at the 
tent, wliich had been pitchcd for the observance of the cerem'onies. 
The powerfnl choir sang the noble and inspiring choral hymn of 

praise, 

" AU liail tlie power of Jésus' iiame, 

Let angels prostrate fall." 

After whicli Rev. Mr. Cookson rcad from the 23d chapter of 
Genesis, as follows : 

*' And Abraham stood np from before his dead, and spake nnto 
the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner witli you. 
Give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury 
my dead ont of my sight. ******* 

This was succeeded by the Lord's Frayer and the prayer of Con- 
sécration in thèse words: 

Father Almighty, wlio art not the God ofthe dead but of The 
living; Bless this (Jemetery, webeseech Thee, that the bodies of Thy 
faithful people whicli are hère laid to rest may remain in peace, and 
nndisturbed until they hear, and joyfully oboy the sound of the 
trumpet that calls this mortal to put on immortality, through 
Jésus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Lord Jésus Cljrist who in the days of thy earthly manhood 
didst weep ovcr Lazarus, and with a loud voice, l^roughtest forth 
his dead l)ody from the tomb; and who Thyself didst hallow the 
sepulchre wliich Joseph of Arimathea had made for thee, filling it 
with the fragrance of the spices which loving liands bestowed 
upon Thy Burial, until it was opened forever by the mighty power 
of Thy Résurrection; so hallow we beseech Thee, this Cemctery, 
for the slee]) of thy faithful servants; and let the fragrance of the 
good deeds which by Thy grâce they may hâve wrought on earth 
still linger hère until Thy voice shall open their graves, and call 
forth their slee})ing bodies to awake up after the likeness of Thy 
glorious Body, rejoicing in Thy Résurrection for evermore; who 
ïivest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen. 

The choir and people then sung the hymu, 

" How woiKl(>rous and groat 
Thy Works (lod of praise." 



47 

Then followed tho address by Rov. Eliphalet M. Potter, D. D., 
Président of Union Collège. Catcliing something from tlie gentle 
spirit of the scène, and amid tlie liushed and attentive stillness of 
liis audience, while his eye glanced from tlie blue ontline of the 
monntains to the solcmn woods and placid lake, the éloquent divine, 
m an address of historié incident and sympathetic éloquence, 
unfolded a train of thought suited alike to the hour and the occas- 
ion. Commencing with an appropriate allusion to the fitness of the 
cérémonies of consecrating such enelosures to the sacred memory 
of the dead, he rapidly shetched the egotistic attempt to perpetuate 
the famé of power, by the splendid mausoleums and labored piles of 
ancient civilization. Ile brought to mind the paved avenues, 
twenty-two miles in lengtli, guarded at brief intervais by colossal 
statues of the Ming dynasty of China — the tomb itself as large as a 
temple — an évidence of selfish power and aggrandizement. 80 in 
India, the mighty monarch Akbar built the unrivaled fort of Agra, 
the mosque of pearl and the superb palace, and converted the 
stoniest ledges of his realm into the realization of architectural 
visions, and for himself erected, at Secundra, a monument more 
wonderful than the pyramid at Cheops. Viewing thèse monuments 
of egotism, one of our statesmen declared that, only when society 
reached a high state of civilization, would men learn the absurdity 
of extravagant sepulchral monuments. " Great achievements," he 
adds, " and rare natures, leave upon mankind an impression so 
deep that they need no monumental reminders to supply the want 
of that impression, by extravagant mocking." 

Family love, a higher though oftcn a mixed sentiment, is also 
ovidenccd by costly monuments of pride, and as civilization advances 
\ve see this higher form and i)uri)ose of monumental efforts. In 
the Campus Martius of Rome are traces of that Mausoleum of the 
great Augustus, which Strabo, aftcr describing the s])lendor, tells us 
contained apartments for the ashes of his kindred. The first whose 
dust reposed there was the youthful Marcellus, who died at twenty- 
two, the handsome and long-lamcnted son of the Grand Em})eror. 
The famé of this pile is made imperishable by the lincs of the great 
Latin poet. So the throne of love, a mortuary structure illustrating 
this higher principle, more beautiful, both from its sentiment and 
its architecture, than the egotistic tomb of Akbar, is that erected 
by one of his royal descendants to his beloved wife, the famed Banoo. 
In the midst of a garden of two hundrod and fifty acres lilled 
with the choicest products of the wood and tield, stands this mighty 



48 

ofPering to love, its exterior of white marble, inlaid iii" black wifcli 
texts from tlie sacred writings, exhaiisting tlie Koran entire. 
Withiii, its immense dôme, nearly tliree liundred fect in lieiglit, 
casts from its streaming vanlts a snbdued light iipou tlie sarcopha- 
gus, gleaming witli rare jewels and enclosing the clierished dnst. 
Akin in history and sentiment is tlie story of that tomb, whicli 
still stands after tlie wars and tninults of two tlionsand years, jnst 
beyond the walls of Eome, to testify to tlie virtnes of tlie noble 
wife of one of Eome's richest citizens. A liiglier sentiment than 
egotism is tliere indicated — a cliord in linman liearts is struck, 
wliieh vibrâtes nntil to-day ; yet, wliile we cherisli the noble inter- 
prétation of the tomb of Cecilla Metella, we are confronted witK. 
the lines of Byron at the close of his éloquent référence to the tomb 
of Childe Harold : 

" Metella died, 
The wealtliiest Roman's wife ! beliold liis love or pride ! " 

After tlie Cliristian era a view prinei})le evidenced the truth of the 
résurrection of the body. Tlie monuments in the Catacombs and 
elsewhere hâve coniiected with tliem a new hope; nay, an imper- 
ishable truth, the doctrine of the Résurrection. The belief of a 
future life, and the ideas springing therefrom, gave a new character 
to mortuary monuments. Henceforth, connected witli the ofîerings 
for the worship of God and the good of. man, statcly cathedrals 
pierced the skies, hospitals openod tlieir slieltering arms, fellowships 
and scholarships were founded, and tlius Shakspeare's aphorism was 
reversed: "The good that men do lives after them; the evil is oft 
interred with their bones." But why, amid the scènes of beauty 
like this, need we envy the more costly siirroundings of wealtli, even 
wlien directed by piety? Hère amid thèse mountain ranges, sliaded 
by yonder wliispering pines, lies the soldier who lias battled for his 
country's rights; hère are the ashes of the tender mother, ïind hère 
lie buried ail that hope and fancy clierished in loving, childhood's 
tender form. The ground is already consecratcd in hope, in love 
and in joyf al anticipation. Though cliildhood may stretch out its 
weary arms for the loved and loving parent; though the mother 
may weep for lier fîrst born that has carried the light of day itself 
into the tomb, still comfort yourselves with the words from the 
eternal source of comfort: ''For we know that if our earthlyhouse 
of this tabernacle were dissolvcd we hâve a building of God, a house 
not made with liands, eternal in the heavens.'' 



49 V 

The cérémonies conoludcd with suitalile prayers l\y one of tlie 
elergy, and tbe procession rcturncd to tbe village. 

Churches. 

Among civilized nations, in ail âges of the world, tlie claims of 
religion bave assnmed a prominent place and bave generally been 
enforced among tbe varions classes of mankind. 

Tbere are four cburcbes in tbe village, to wit, tbe Metbodist, 
wliicb bas been long established and contains tbe largest local con- 
grégation, tbe Presbyterian, tbe Roman Catbolicand the Episcopal. 
This last was organized April 30, 1865, nnder the name of the 
parish of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church. Eev. Edwin 
E. Butler, of Glen's Falls, was the rector. 

September lOth, 1866, Eev. Mr. Eastman was invited to hold the 
services for an indeiînite period. 

March loth, 1868, Eev. Mr. George Fisher was duly appointed 
missionary, and. the services were held by bim at this date for the 
first time. Services were conducted in Wilcox Hall. 

In 1868 the services were conducted in the school-bouse by Eevs. 
Messrs. Fisher, Gibson, Shackleford, and Sylvanus Eeed. 

The lot on which the présent church lias been erected was duly 
conveyed to tbe society by Mr. Henry E. Pierrei)ont, of Brooklyn. 

August 9, 1868, St. Mary's Hall was erected by B. G. Butler, and 
lias been more or less occupied by the society up to the présent time. 

1869. Tbe sunimer services were held under the direction of 
Eevs. Messrs. Tyng, Bird, Eitchie and Knapp. 

1870-71. Eev. Benjamin Webb had charge of the parish in 
connection with the parish of Conklingville. 

1872. The parish was in the charge of Eev. Mr. Anthou wlio 
remained. for the sumnier. 

1873. Eev. Mr. Moran had tbe eiuirge of tbe summer services. 
1874-75. Eev. Mr. Ilooper was in charge. 

1876. Eev. A. J. Brockway was duly appointed missionary in 
charge, and still continues his niinistrations. 

In 1865 the ladies of tbe ])arish, fînding fifteen dollars in the 
treasury remainingafter paying tbe ex])enses for the summer services, 
resolved, tbat the same sbould l)e dei)ositedin the savings ban k as a 
" nest cgg," for a fund with which to build a iiew church. The 
foundation of the présent building was laid in 1873. The plans were 
furnished. by Jacob Wray Mould, lato architect of the Central 



50 

Park, New York city. They exliibit a iilain stouo building of 
rubble work, with slate roof, iu the Ai]glo-8wiss style, eighty feet 
long by thirty-six feet wide. The capacity of the church is for 
two liuiidred and tifty ijeople. It lias plenty of light and ventila- 
tion, and is easily warmed in wiiiter. The site is upon Lake 
avenue, froiiting Ciiurch street, and commands a fine vicw of lake 
and niountain sceuery in ail directions. 

Tlie jiresent expenditure upon the church is 15,000. The parish 
lias no debts whatever, 

It is Gstimated tliat to finish the building complète, including the 
tower, will cost about $2,500. 

August 25, 187-i, the corner stone of the new édifice was laid by 
the Et. Rev. AVilliam 0. Doane, bishop of the diocèse of Albany, 
assisted by a nuniber of clergymen, and in the midst of a large 
congrégation of visitors and résidents. The service was beautiful 
and inspiring. 

Tlie bishop made a short address, presenting three points : Ist. 
Christ is the corner-stone ; 2d. Apostolical succession is the ecclesi- 
astical connection ; 3d. Eacli pcrson needs to build upon Christ. 

Col. Butler, senior warden, read the list of articles deposited in a 
tin box to be placed beneath the corner-stone, to wit : Bible, 
prayer book, almanac for 1874,- coins of the date of 1874, to wit, 
one cent nickel, five cent nickel, ten cent silver, twenty-five cent 
silver, fifty cent silver and ten cent currency ; county newspapers 
of the latest date, names of the bishoi^ of the diocèse, the mission- 
ary in charge, and the wardens and vestrynien ; programmes of ■ 
fairs and concerts given by the ladies for the benefit of the church, 
programme of the consécration of the Luzerne cemetery, July-9/ 
1873. 

He also gave a summary of the availablc resources of St. Mary 's 
church, and conclu ded as follows : 

The tide of humanity regnlarly ebbs and flows to and from tliis 
place. Year by year it recurs with increasing force. Its wants are 
varions and exhaustive. The city goes ont into the conntry with 
its grâces, its habits, its luxuries, whicli hâve becomc necessities. 
It cornes to find converse Avith natnre's cliarms, amid rural sini- 
plicity and among rural people, who know but little of towu life, 
except as it is brought to tlieir notice by the sunimer visitors. To 
provide for our own spiritual wants is very simple, like the modest 
chapel whicli, for the last seven years, lias bcen our religions home. 
But to meet the larger, more varied and more cultivated taste for 



51 

the city visiter, as wcll as the increasing nmnber, reqnires a larger 
temple. Witli this auspicious day\s proceedings we will hâve com- 
menced an édifice wliich wc hope and trust will prove satisfactory 
in its sacred purpose, and yon who niay chance to revisit ourvilhige 
in future ycars will, God willing. worship in a temple erected on 
this spot, which shall be capacious and comfortable and àdapted to 
the increasing needs of the chureh. To those who hâve immedi- 
ately been the means of increasing the chureh fund, the thanks of 
the vestry would be superfluous. Their talents, their skill, their 
fine perception of tlie needs of the hour, and particularly their 
cheerful willingness to aid in this work of charity, find their 
reward, not froni the hands of mère instruments as we are, but 
from that loftier motive which has its answer in every Christian 
lieart, the motive of doing good for its own sake. 

The tide ebbs and flows: a few short weeks ago you were pursuing 
each the routine of life in your own homes. A common sympathy 
for nature has brought you hère and thrown you together as one 
family. Shortly you will sépara te, each going back to bis or her 
home, never again to meet under the same circnmstances. The 
pleasant memories of the summer, will probably sink away into a 
composed regard, but wherever your lot may be cast, you will take 
away with you the fragrance of a gênerons act, most gracefully per- 
formed. Wc shall remember this longer than you; for this is our 
home : ours the duty to watch for, wait upon and i^articipate in the 
érection of this édifice; ours the oft'ering to his Precious Majesty 
the sacrifices of prayer, praise and thanksgiving; ours the sacra- 
ment of baptism, the 'solemnization of matrimony, and finally the 
resting of our corporeal body before it is committed to the ground 
— earth to earth, ashes to ashcs, dust to dust. We shall bave this 
édifice perpetually with us, and we will carry with us, in our heart 
of hearts, the remembrance of yoiu- deeds of charity, which seem 
to us a re-echo of the sentiment, " Peace on earth, good will to meu." 

An excavation had been drilled into the ^solid rock under the 
stone to receive the box of deposits, which was then placed in the 
réceptacle and the stone laid in its place. The 13ishop then said: 

The glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us'; Prosper 
thou the work of our hands upon us; prosper thon our lumdi- 
work. 

Except the Lord build the house their labor is but lest that build it. 

In the faith of Jésus Christ we place this foundation stone, in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Iloly Ghost, 



52 

Amon, of St. Mixry's Chnrch, to be dedicated to tlie worship and 
service of Alniighty God, tlie Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; 
foi- rcading and preacliing liis holy word; for celebrating liis lioly 
sacraments; for offeiing to his glorious majesty the sacrifices of 
prayer, praise and thanksgiving; for blessing his people in his name, 
and for the performances of ail other offices of our holy religion. 
Otlier foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jésus Christ, 
who is God over ail blessed forevermore, in whom we hâve rédemp- 
tion throiigh his blood, even the forgiveness of sin. 

Hère followcd the Nicene crecd, after which a hymn was snng. 

The Bishop, with the clergy and congrégation, then walked 
around the walls of the building, singing the 87th psalm, and the 
services closed with the bénédiction. 



uiBROR^ "LÏÏÏÏâ 



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